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Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

NIMH 75th Anniversary Symposium: Amplifying Voices and Building Bridges: Toward a More Inclusive Future — Summary

Important themes & takeaways

Four people are sitting on a stage in a panel discussion. The person speaking into a microphone is in the center, with three others listening attentively. They are in a formal setting, possibly a conference or seminar.
(L to R) Dr. Benjamin Le Cook, Dr. Jessica Goodkind, Dr. Sidney Hankerson, and Dr. Christina Borba speak on a panel at NIMH’s 75th Anniversary symposium, Amplifying Voices and Building Bridges: Toward a More Inclusive Future, on March 18, 2024
  • Community engagement
    Speakers emphasized the importance of improving health outcomes by engaging the community, including through community-based participatory research which incorporates partnerships with community-based leaders and health workers who provide linkages to care. These efforts help build trust between researchers, providers, and individuals, decrease stigma to seeking care, and inform the successful development and implementation of community-level interventions.
  • Inclusivity and diversity
    The symposium featured presentations highlighting research efforts addressing structural inequities to reduce health disparities and improve access to care. Dismantling these barriers and biases in pursuit of social justice helps identify social determinants of health and healthcare reforms that may facilitate equity across communities, as well as cultivate diversity in the mental health research workforce.
  • Integrating lived experiences
    The symposium highlighted the importance of integrating the perspectives of people with lived experiences to better understand their needs and improve research quality. Leading by example, the symposium featured thought leaders who shared their personal stories and stressed the importance of embedding lived experience throughout all stages of research. This integration may help foster trust, transparency, and empowerment and may also lead to transformative policy and health care interventions that address mental health disparities, increase equity, and improve behavioral health outcomes.

Conclusion

A woman wearing a blue suit is speaking at a podium in a formal setting, possibly a conference or seminar. Behind her is a projection screen displaying a presentation with the logo of Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Dr. Loretta Sweet Jemmott speaks at NIMH’s 75th Anniversary symposium, Amplifying Voices and Building Bridges: Toward a More Inclusive Future, on March 18, 2024

The second symposium exemplified NIMH’s commitment to initiatives that advance research, policies, and practices to engage diverse perspectives. With an unwavering commitment towards this goal, NIMH continues to spearhead efforts to diminish mental health disparities, promote inclusivity, and instill hope for mental wellbeing in millions of people worldwide.

The Institute’s celebratory series of its 75th anniversary will culminate with a third and final symposium on Friday, September 20, 2024.